Device for inserting wires and/or pipes in a tubular, flexible sheath provided with openable overlapping edges

ABSTRACT

A device for inserting wires and/or pipes in a tubular, flexible sheath includes a sleeve ( 11 ), with a split ( 111 ) made therealong. The sleeve ( 11 ) is encircled by a cylindrical tubular body ( 21 ) also having made therealong a relative split ( 211 ). The sleeve ( 11 ) can turn inside this cylindrical tubular body ( 21 ), so as to define two working positions, first (H 1 ) and second (H 2 ). In the first working position (H 1 ), the split ( 111 ) of the sleeve ( 11 ) corresponds to the split ( 211 ) of the tubular body ( 21 ), so that the wires can be inserted into the device. In the second working position (H 2 ), the split ( 211 ) of the tubular body ( 21 ) is closed by the sleeve ( 11 ), so as to block the wires inside the device. A rounded, wedge-shaped member ( 23 ) rising over the cylindrical tubular body ( 21 ) is to be slidably fitted in the flexible sheath (F). The profile of the member ( 23 ) allows to open the edges of the elements ( 3 ) of the sheath, so as to insert the wires thereinside.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field concerned withproviding a protection for a bundle of pipes, such as pipes forcompressed air or refrigerating liquids, wires and/or leads.

These elements, may be for, instance electric wires installed on controlunits of automatic machines, wirings of automobiles or motor vehicles,or cables used to supply power to computers or to data transmissionlines, optical fibres, or they may also be the leads used in telephoniclines.

More particularly, the present invention concerns a device for insertingwires and/or pipes in a tubular, flexible sheath with edges, that can beparted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In these last years, the continuously growing use of electronics as acontrol and operating means has determined a relevant increase of thenumber of electric wires and leads present on an automatic machine, acontrol unit, or a motor vehicle, etc.

This has implied the increasing need set up more functional wiring andto distribute wires along predetermined protected and safe paths, so asto avoid their possible damages, useless encumbrance or obstacles tonormal working of motors or moving mechanical means controlled thereby.

Therefore, during installation of wires and leads, it is fundamental tofirst tape them and insert them in protective and insulating structures,such as tubular sheaths or raceways.

Moreover, protection and insulation of all wires, leads and/or pipesfrom the surrounding environment is explicitly required by many securityrules currently in force.

At present, the taping can be made by an operator, who spreads and settogether the single cables, arranging them parallel one beside another,so as to avoid possible tangling.

After the taping has been completed, the operator inserts the group ofcables thus obtained into the above mentioned protection structure.

The operator can use particular tools, such as clamps or cableterminals, which facilitate the insertion and sliding of the group ofwires inside the protection structure.

Because of the wires length or due to the particular, flexible and notstraight form of protection structures, inserting operation of the tapedgroup of wires results to be extremely difficult.

Thus, this operation requires a lot of manpower and prolongs the workingtime, resulting in a considerable increase of total installation cost.

A Japanese document No. 7-32273 describes a device which inserts tapedgroups of cables in a tubular flexible sheath having edges that can beparted away, and the operation can be performed in a short time. Thisdevice includes two mirror-like portions, hinged to one each other andmaintained close to each other by a spring.

Each of these portions includes a semi-tubular, longitudinal straightelement, having semi-circular section, which is connected to ahalf-shell, hollow inside and with one end truncated. The half-shell isconnected with a corresponding outer part of the semi-tubular element.The half-shell merges with the semi-tubular element according to adirection inclined with reference to the longitudinal axis of thesemi-tubular element. The back parts of the element and shell match witheach other in a way such that the axial dimension of the semi-tubularelement is not reduced and its cross-section is maintained unchanged.

The two mirror-like portions are maintained close to each other due tothe elastic action of the spring, so that the semi-tubular element ofone portion, together with the corresponding semi-tubular element of theother portion, create a cylindrical channel.

The group of wires is to be inserted in this cylindrical channel.

Moreover, the half-shell of one portion, together with the correspondinghalf-shell of, the other portion, define an ogive-like structure, which,is to be slidably fitted into the flexible sheath.

This ogive-like structure allows to open the edges of the flexiblesheath along the split, and make the sheath slide along the path definedby the two connected half-shells toward the portion mating with thesemi-tubular elements, i.e. toward the outer surface of the adjacentcylindrical channel.

When the edges of the sheath are beyond the back end of the cylindricalchannel, they close thus swallowing the group of wires.

The lower part of each mirror-like portion includes grasping means,formed by a wing, which is handled by the operator to define two workingpositions of the device.

In a first position, the wings are close to each other and the twomirror-like portions are open due to the elastic action of the spring,so that the wires can be inserted in the device, i.e. inside thecylindrical channel defined by the two joined semi-tubular elements.

In a second position, the wings are released and consequently, the twomirror-like portions abut against each other due to the elastic actionof the spring, so that the group of wires can be closed inside thedevice.

At this point, the wires can be inserted in the flexible sheath bymaking this sheath slide about and along the ogive structure, whichopens the sheath edges.

When they are beyond the end of the device, the opened sheath edgesswallow the group of wires by closing one over another.

The above mentioned grasping means can be formed, as described in theJapanese document No. 7-107636, by pliers, which act against the elasticaction of the spring, so as to open the two mirror-like portions anddefine the two working positions of the device.

The publication PR-B-2761826 describes a tool for inserting bundledconductors in split over-sheath. The tool has pointed head, withintegral handgrip, separating the sheath edges and guiding conductors inthrough smooth channels

In better detail, the tool has a pointed flattened head provided atapproximately 90 degrees to the head-grip. This is designed to enter asplit over-sheath, which is e.g. textile-based, with one edgeoverlapping the other. After separation, the edges locate in groovesrunning along either side of the head. The conductor bundle enters,sideways, a channel passing through the head at about 20 degrees to thesheath axis, its surface coated to reduce friction. A second channel,approximately parallel to the hand-grip, crosses the first; this allowsone or more conductors to be abstracted, or further conductors to beadded, at any position.

The devices of this type are ready to use and obtained by simplesolutions, however, their production is considerably complicated andexpensive.

Moreover, due to the repeated openings of the mirror-like portions, theycan be displaced and not aligned, which can result in hinges damage orspring wearing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is that of providing a device which allowsto insert a group of wires or cables in a tubular flexible sheath bysimple and immediate operations.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a device forinserting wires or cables in a tubular flexible sheath, obtained by acompact, strong and extremely practical structure.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a device forinserting wires or cables in a tubular flexible sheath, obtained by asimple technical solution, and which is extremely reliable and cheap.

The above mentioned objects are obtained, in accordance with thecontents of claims, by means of a device for inserting wires, cables,pipes in a flexible sheath, said flexible sheath including a pluralityof elements, with a slit made on each said elements having two edgesoverlap one another in normal condition, so as to define a channel, saiddevice including:

a cylindrical tubular body having a front end, a rear end, an upper partand lower part with a longitudinally extending split, and with arounded, wedge-shaped member merging therewith in said upper part ofsaid cylindrical tubular body and extending in a substantially inclineddirection, with reference to the longitudinal axis of said cylindricaltubular body and convergent toward said rear end;

a sleeve having circular cross section corresponding to the crosssection of said cylindrical tubular body, so that said sleeve can befitted in the cylindrical tubular body, said sleeve being delimited bytwo heads, a first head and a second head respectively, with of thesleeve having a longitudinal extension such that said two heads, firstand second respectively go in abutment on inner part of enlarged bordersmade at a front end and at a rear end of said cylindrical tubular body,so as to prevent any longitudinal translation of said sleeve withrespect to said cylindrical tubular body, with a split being made alongthe sleeve and having dimensions equal to the split of the cylindricaltubular body, so that the sleeve can turn inside the cylindrical tubularbody between two working positions, first in which the split of thesleeve matches with the split of the tubular body, so that one end of abundle of wires or cables can be inserted in the device, and secondposition, in which the split of the tubular body is closed by thesleeve, so as to lock the group of cables inside the device, with saidtubular flexible sheath being made to slide, in direction, around andalong said wedge-shaped member, whose profile allows to elasticallydeform by deflection, the elements of the sheath opening their edges forintroducing said bundle of wires or cables into said tubular flexiblesheath through the said end of said cylindrical tubular body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristic features of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following detailed description of preferred, butnot only embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the device for inserting wiresand/or pipes in a tubular, flexible sheath with edges that can be partedaway, made in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIGS. 1a and 1 b are schematic front views of the two significantelements of the device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2a and 2 b are schematic section views, taken along line II—II ofFIG. 1, of two working positions of the proposed device;

FIGS. 3a and 3 b are schematic section views, taken along line III—IIIof FIG. 1, in particular, FIG. 3a of the working position of FIG. 2a andFIG. 3b of the working position of FIG. 2b;

FIG. 4 is a schematic lateral view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic lateral view of the device of FIG. 1 in aparticular working step, in which the wires or cables are inserted in atubular flexible sheath;

FIG. 6 is a schematic section view taken along line VI—VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the proposed device according to thedirection X indicated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic section view taken along VIII—VIII of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 9 is a schematic section view taken along line IX—IX of FIG. 1b;

FIG. 10 is a schematic, front view of the proposed device for insertingwires and/or pipes in a tubular flexible sheath with edges that can beparted away, made in accordance with an interesting embodiment;

FIGS. 10a and 10 b are schematic section views taken along line X—X ofFIG. 10, showing respectively two working positions of the proposeddevice;

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of another interesting embodiment;

FIG. 11a is a schematic section view taken along line XI—XI of FIG. 11.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the enclosed drawings, D generally designates a devicefor inserting wires or cables and/or pipes C in a tubular flexiblesheath F.

This tubular flexible sheath F, of known type, is formed by acombination of a plurality of elements 3 made of plastic material, whichcan be elastically deformed and are connected one to another.

These elements 3 have each one a slit 3 a made on its back.

This tubular flexible sheath F can be substituted by a pipe (not shown),whose inner walls are corrugated and which has longitudinal splits dueto which it can be flexible and, at the same time, double insulated.

When the elements 3 are in a normal condition position, their edges 31 aand 31 b overlap each other, as shown in FIG. 6.

In this way, a channel 5 is defined inside the sheath F.

Moreover, when the elements 3 are slightly forced to deflect, theiredges 31 a and 31 b are parted away until an aperture is formed in thechannel 5, so that the wires or cables C can be inserted in the sheathF.

Due to the slits 3 a of each element 3, the sheath F is extremely lightand flexible and can fold up defining various paths of the channel 5.

According to a first embodiment shown in Figures from 1 to 9, the abovementioned device D for inserting cables C in the tubular flexiblesheath; F includes a first member 1, which rotates inside a secondmember 2.

As shown in FIG. 1b, this first member 1 is formed by a tubular sleeve11, whose cross section is circular and which is delimited by two heads,first head 112 and second head 113, respectively, situated at the endsof this sleeve 11.

A split 111 extends along the sleeve 11, from the first head 112 to thesecond head 113 (FIG. 9). A group of wires or cables C can be introducedthrough this split 111.

The above mentioned second member, 2 is formed, as shown in FIG. 1a, bya tubular cylindrical body 21, which has, made therealong, a split 211(FIG. 8), whose dimensions are comparable with the dimensions of thesplit 111 of the sleeve 11.

The cross section of the tubular cylindrical body 21 is circular and itsdimensions allow the sleeve 11 to be fitted in the body 21.

The sleeve 11 is inserted into the tubular body 21 through the split 211of the latter.

After the sleeve 11 has been fitted in the body 21, due to thelongitudinal form of this sleeve 11, the enlarged border of the heads,first 112 and second 113 are located to cover the ends, namely front end212 and rear end 213 respectively, of the tubular body 21.

Thus any longitudinal movement of the sleeve 11 with respect to thetubular body 21 is prevented.

In this configuration, the sleeve 11 can turn inside the tubularcylindrical body 21, and due to a particular fitting, it is not possibleto withdraw the sleeve 11 from the body 21 without breaking the latter.

A rounded, wedge-shaped member 23 having streamlined profile isconnected to the upper section of the cylindrical tubular body 21,merging therewith. The wedge-shape member 23 extends along a directionsubstantially inclined with reference to the cylindrical bodylongitudinal axis, and convergent therewith in the direction of the rearend 213 of the cylindrical tubular body 21.

The flexible sheath F is set over the wedge-shaped member 23 whilemoving it the in the direction W, indicated in FIG. 5, so as to open theedges 31 a and 31 b of the elements 3 and increase the cross section ofthe channel 5 until an aperture is made therein, in the region of therear end 213 of the tubular body 21.

The profile of the wedge-shaped member 23 allows to elastically deform,by deflection, the elements 3 of the sheath F, opening their terminalportions 31 a and 31 b.

When the edges 31 a and 31 b of the elements 3 go beyond the rear end213 of the cylindrical body 21, they overlap one another thus resumingtheir regular configuration.

The above mentioned first head 112 of the sleeve 11 has two diametricalwings 114, which facilitate handling of the device during the insertingthe wires or cables in the flexible sheath.

In particular, this pair of diametrical wings 114 allow the operator aneasy grip on the device D and practical handling or rotation of thesleeve 11 with respect to the tubular cylindrical body 21 withoutexcessive efforts.

The above mentioned first head 112 has a groove 115, made along arelative circumference arc on its back and delimited by two abutments,first 115 a and second 115 b, respectively.

This groove 115 has a tooth 116 supported by the front end 212 of thecylindrical tubular body 21.

Due to the rotation of the sleeve 11 with respect to the cylindricaltubular body 21, the groove 115 slides with respect to the tooth 116until this tooth stops against one of the two abutments, first 115 a orsecond 115 b.

In particular, when the tooth 116 stops against the first abutment 115a, the device is in its first working position H1, shown in FIGS. 2a and3 a, in which the split 111 of the sleeve 11 is aligned with the split211 of the cylindrical tubular body 21.

In this configuration, an extremity of the bundle of wires or cables Ccan be inserted in the device D.

In particular, when the tooth 116 stops against the second abutment 115b, the device is in its second working position H2, shown in FIGS. 2b, 3b and 5, in which the split 211 of the cylindrical tubular body 21 isclosed by the sleeve 11.

In this configuration, the extremity of the bundle of wires or cables Cis blocked inside the device D. The device D passes from the firstworking position H1 to the second working position H2 (FIGS. 2a and 2 b)due to the counterclockwise rotation of the sleeve 11 with respect tothe cylindrical tubular body 21 performed by the operator, who acts onthe pair of diametrical wings 114.

The sequence of working steps of the device for inserting wires orcables in tubular flexible sheath will be now described.

After having grouped and arranged the wires or cables one besideanother, the operator sets the device D in the working position H1 byacting on the diametrical wings 114, so as to rotate the sleeve 11 withrespect to the cylindrical tubular body 21, until the first abutment 115a stops against the tooth 116.

In this configuration, the split 111 of the sleeve 11 is aligned withthe split 211 of the cylindrical tubular body 21.

Then, the operator inserts one end of the bundle of wires or cables Cinside the cylindrical tubular body 21 through these splits 111 and 211.

Afterwards, the operator acts on the diametrical wings 114, so as torotate the sleeve 11, until the second abutment 115 b stops against thetooth 116, thus defining the second working position H2.

In this configuration, the end of the bundle of wires or cables C isclosed inside the device D, in particular inside the cylindrical tubularbody 21.

At this point, the operator, keeping the device D by the diametricalwings 114, set one end of the flexible sheath F on and around thewedge-shaped member 23 and makes the sheath slide in direction W.

While sliding along the wedge-shaped member 23, the elements 3 of thesheath are opened due to elastic deformation, thus defining a loweraperture in the channel 5, through which the cables C enter the sheath Fafter reaching the rear end 213 of the tubular body 21.

When the elements 3 reach a position beyond the rear end 213 of thecylindrical body 21, they close, thus closing the cables C thereinside.

This way, the operator inserts the group of cables C in the sheath bymaking this sheath slide along and around the wedge-shaped member 23.

According to another interesting embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 10, 10 a and 10 b, a first head 112 a of a sleeve 11 has biggerlongitudinal extension, which makes the device's handling still easierand anatomic.

Advantageously, due to this conformation of the first head 112 a of thesleeve 11, the operator's fingers can completely encircle this head thusfacilitating a best gripping of the wings 114 and, at the same time,facilitating the sheath sliding with respect to the device.

According to this particular embodiment, the head 112 a has no split,and the front end 212 of the cylindrical tubular body 21 has no tooth.

The device D passes from the:first working position H1 shown in FIG.10a, in which the split 111 of the sleeve 11 is aligned with the split211 of the cylindrical tubular body 21, to the second working positionH2 shown in FIG. 10b, in which the split 211 is closed by the sleeve 11,due to a simple rotation of this sleeve 11, in clockwise orcounterclockwise direction, by 180°.

According to another interesting embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11 and 11a,a wedge-shaped member 23 a formed by a plurality of wings 231 risesoutside and over the cylindrical tubular body 21.

The wings 231 extend downwards in a substantially inclined direction,convergent toward the rear end 213 of this cylindrical tubular body 21.

These wings 231, supported by a ridge 232, define a rounded envelope 233which defines the flexible sheath F sliding path during the workingsteps relative to the inserting of wires or cables therein.

Also in this case, the profile of the wings 231 allows to elasticallydeform, by deflection, the elements 3 of the sheath F, opening theiredges 31 a and 31 b.

All the described embodiments of the proposed device allowadvantageously to insert a bundle of wires or cables in a tubularflexible sheath by simple and immediate operations.

Moreover, it is to be pointed out that according to all the describedembodiments, the proposed device is equipped with two elements whichdefine an extremely compact and strong structure guaranteeing highfunctionality during all the working steps through which the wires orcables are inserted in the flexible sheath.

Therefore, the proposed device allows a group of wires, cables or leadspresent in the automatic machines control units, in the electric andelectronic equipment for motor vehicles, or cables used for computerspower supply, or for data transmission lines, compressed air or coolingliquid pipes, or conductors of the telephone lines, to be inserted in aprotecting structure without a previous taping.

It is also to be pointed out that the proposed device, in all itsembodiments, allows to insert wires, cables, leads and/or pipes in aprotective structure also when they are already installed, wired orbundled.

Further, it is to be noted that the proposed device, in all itsembodiments, is obtained by a simple and extremely reliable technicalsolution, using simple components, which results in reducing theproduction cost.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for inserting wires, cables, pipes in aflexible sheath (F), said flexible sheath (F) including: a plurality ofelements (3), with a slit (3 a) made on said elements (3) and with saidelements having two edges (31 a, 31 b) overlapping once another innormal condition, so as to define a channel (5); a cylindrical tubularbody (21) having a front end (212), a rear end (213), an upper part andlower part with a longitudinally extending split (211); a rounded,wedge-shaped member (23); said device (D) being characterised in that:said rounded, wedge-shaped member (23) merges with said upper part ofsaid cylindrical tubular body (21) and extending in a substantiallyinclined direction, with reference to the longitudinal axis of saidcylindrical tubular body (21) and convergent toward said rear end (213);a sleeve (11), having circular cross section corresponding to the crosssection of said cylindrical tubular body (21), is fitted inside thecylindrical body, said sleeve being delimited by two heads, a first head(112,112 a) and a second head (113) respectively, of the sleeve (11)having a longitudinal extension such that said first head (112,112 a)and second said head (113) respectively go in abutment on inner part ofenlarged borders made at a front end (212) and at a rear end (213) ofsaid cylindrical tubular body (21), so as to prevent any longitudinaltranslation of said sleeve (11) with respect to said cylindrical tubularbody (21), with a longitudinally extending split (111) made in thesleeve (11), having dimensions equal to the split (211) of thecylindrical tubular body (21), so that the sleeve (11) is rotatableinside the cylindrical tubular body (21) between two working positions,a first position (H1), in which the split (111) of the sleeve (11)matches with the split (211) of the tubular body (21), so that one endof a bundle of wires or cables (C) is insertable in the device, andsecond position (H2), in which the split (211) of the tubular body (21)is closed by the sleeve (11), such that said wedge-shaped member (23, 23a) is adapted to cause said tubular flexible sheath (F) to slide aroundand along said member in a longitudinal direction (W), the profile ofsaid member being adapted to deform, by deflection, the elements (3) ofthe sheath (F) by opening their edges (31 a,31 b) for introducing saidbundle of wires or cables (C) into said tubular flexible sheath (F)through the said end (213) of said cylindrical tubular body (21).
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein said wedge-shaped member (23) has astreamlined rounded profile, which defines a sliding path for saidflexible sheath (F).
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein saidwedge-shaped member (23) has a plurality of wings (231), supported by aridge (232), and extending downwards in a substantially inclineddirection, convergent toward said rear end (213) and defining a roundedenvelope (233) which defines a sliding path for the flexible sheath (F).4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first head (112) of thesleeve (11) has two diametrically opposed wings (114), which are adaptedto be gripped and moved, so as to define said two, working positions(H1,H2) and to support the device (D) while said wedge-shaped member(23, 23 a) is adapted to cause said tubular flexible sheath (F) to slidearound and along said member in a longitudinal direction (w), with saidfirst head (112) having a peripheral groove (115) delimited by a firstabutment (115 a) and a second abutment (115 b), said peripheral groove(115) cooperating with a tooth (116) supported by said first end (212)of said cylindrical tubular body (21); with said groove (115) slidingwith respect to the tooth 116, due to the rotation of the sleeve (11)with respect to the cylindrical tubular body (21), until said tooth(116) stops against either the first abutment (115 a) for defining saidfirst working position (H1) or the second abutment (115 b) for definingsaid second working position (H2).
 5. A device according to claim 1,wherein said first head (112) of said sleeve (11) has two diametricallyopposed wings (114) and a radial extension such to facilitates anatomicgripping thereof, so as to support the device (D) while saidwedge-shaped member (23, 23 a) is adapted to cause said tubular flexiblesheath (F) to slide around and along said member in a longitudinaldirection (W), said pair of wings (114) being adapted to be gripped androtated by 180°, clockwise or counter-clockwise, so as to pass from saidfirst working position (H1) to said second working position (H2).